Doctor of Philosophy Human Centered Design

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The Ph.D. in Human Centered Design prepares students to become interdisciplinary scholars who can apply a variety of methodological approaches at the intersection of technology, human behavior, and design. Students will be able to explore the use of technologies in the context of complex problems through research, design, and iterative development to create innovative technologies, strategies, and practices. Through close collaboration with faculty advisors and immersion in a vibrant community, students will be trained to advance the field of human centered design through participation in research relevant to both academic and practitioner communities. Students will be prepared for careers in academic institutions, industry research labs, and government and civic organizations.

For international students: this is a STEM-designated program, which can qualify you to extend your post-graduation stay in the United States.

Degree Requirements

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • Design and conduct research studies including determining the appropriate research methodology for the context and implementing research protocols, and analyzing data.
  • Engage in academic research discussions, including, but not limited to, conducting literature reviews and engaging in academic writing.
  • Translate research findings into principles to design human-centered experiences.
  • Create design-based artifacts and experiences in a chosen disciplinary area.

Career Opportunities

Students will engage in research that integrates theories from various fields, including (but not limited to) social computing, human computer interaction, games and learning sciences.

Students will be prepared for careers in:

  • academia (in departments such as information sciences, computing, design, learning sciences),
  • industry research labs (like Google, Motorola Labs, Lucent Technologies, IBM), and
  • government and civic organizations (e.g., OpenCivic, City of Chicago, Data & Society).

View All Faculty

  • Denise Nacu

    Director, School of Design
    Research areas: learning ecosystem design; learning platform, data visualizations, and co-design practices related to out-of-school STEAM learning and participation among youth; mentor development and learning support roles

  • Dave Ramsay

    Assistant Professor, School of Computing
    Research areas: HCI on attention and wellbeing; ubiquitous computing; positive computing; field studies; naturalistic, idiographic measurement; interactive, intelligent UX; psychologically-informed design; psychophysiological systems and rapid prototyping; wearables.

  • Mike DeAnda

    Associate Professor, School of Design
    Research areas: game design, queer studies/histories, latinx studies/histories, anticolonizing and decolonizing, play, failure, ritual and the occult, analog games, performance, affect and emotional design

  • Richard Wetzel

    Associate Professor, School of Design
    Research areas: serious games, hybrid experiences, augmented and virtual reality, location-based experiences, pervasive games, game design processes

  • Oliver Alonzo

    Assistant Professor, School of Computing
    Research areas: computing accessibility. Current projects include audiovisual accessibility in 2D and 360° videos for people with sensory disabilities, AI-based tools to provide reading support for people who are Deaf or Hard-of-hearing (DHH), Deaf-centered approaches to battle online misinformation, and supporting ASL communication in VR

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

Research Spotlight

VR nature scene

Faculty Richard Wetzel and PhD student Sara Bayat Hashemi are working on an interdisciplinary project in partnership with the Environmental Studies program in the College of Science and Health and DePaul’s Egan Office for Urban Education and Community Partnerships. The project investigates how 360° video and a virtual reality serious game can increase interest in conservation and restoration activities in K-12 school children.

advisor with student 

Flexible Curriculum

In collaboration with their advisors, HCD students select courses and electives that align with their research interests, allowing for a highly customized program of study. The flexible curriculum also allows students to select courses that will help them become well-rounded scholars who can teach and conduct research in a variety of disciplines.

speaker infront of your audience 

Interdisciplinary, Mission-driven Research and Design

DePaul's urban location and faculty research areas provide HCD PhD students the unique opportunity to work with faculty across disciplines within the college and across the university. Grounded in our Vincentian mission, our program emphasizes social impact, service, and the holistic development of individuals and communities.

student using a XR headset and hand controllers 

Forefront of Emerging Technology and Design

Students have many opportunities to participate in design and research through various groups and labs at DePaul with faculty who are working with cutting-edge technologies and approaches.

Application Deadlines

Enrollment QuarterDomestic Student DeadlineInternational Student Deadline
FallJanuary 15January 15
WinterOctober 1October 1
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Admission Process

The graduate application process involves completing an online application, sending in your transcripts and submitting any supplemental material (e.g., letters of recommendation, certifications, etc.). To learn more about your program specific requirements, visit our Graduate Admission page.

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